Rest in Peace
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo had to euthanize Aurora, its last polar bear, because of declining health.
She was born at the zoo 30 years ago, and spent time at other zoos, including ones in Germany and Wisconsin, before returning to Cleveland in 2001.
Zoo veterinarians examined the bear earlier this year and found liver cancer. The cancer was so advanced that treatment was not possible. Since then, zoo staff kept a close watch on Aurora for signs of discomfort and to monitor for quality-of-life issues.
Her condition had significantly worsened over the last two days and the veterinary and animal-care staff on Monday made the difficult decision to euthanize her.
Laura Daddabbo 15/11/2013 19:50
It makes me cry; really too sad this beautiful photo!Possa riposare davvero in pace.
Laura
s. sabine krause 21/08/2013 18:20
life at the zoo must be a constant strain especially for huge animals like the polar bear. good that her keepers were responsible enough to not let her suffer "more than is necessary". great capture of the melancholy one with the enormous but touchingly gentle looking paw! greetings, sabine.K.-H.Schulz 20/08/2013 20:14
Gut gemachtVery good pictures
LG:karl-heinz
BRYAN CRUTE 15/08/2013 10:31
So sad to see suffering in any animal, maybe the saddest thing 30 years in zoo's and never knew freedom ?Regards
Bryan
Harold Thompson 15/08/2013 9:31
A sad day :-)) HaroldSue Thompson 15/08/2013 8:10
We do not think of animals getting such diseases and it is very sad that they do...BUT...at least Aurora was not allowed to suffer or pumped full of drugs like she was part of some kind of experimental exercise. She was humanely put to sleep having shared her life with thousands, maybe millions of people who visited her and giving endless pleasure.May she rest in perfect peace and be well remembered.
:))
Silvana W. 15/08/2013 0:45
*Oh.....sad .....But now,she don,t suffers.... Rest in peace ,beautiful Aurora *
Janos Gardonyi 14/08/2013 16:31
may she rest in peace. REQUIESCAT IN PACE.beautiful, compassionate shot. janos
OldsDrive 14/08/2013 16:29
http://ullijseisbaeren.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/cleveland-basteln-fur-aurora/Hans-Wolfgang Hawerkamp 14/08/2013 14:54
!Gruß Wolfgang
Jörg Klüber 14/08/2013 13:58
***Top treatment Ken!